Visita Iglesia Routes 2013

Our Visita Iglesia walk, commute and drive guide for this year's Holy Week triangulates the area of Quezon City where it is conducive to walk during Lenten Season. The roads along which the churches are located also happen to be the routes of public jeepneys with the exception of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Shrine.

Having said that, Broadway Ave where Mt Carmel Church is located is a tree-lined road. I myself have walked down the entire 950 meters (approx) private cars exclusive road and the experience was so relaxing.

So even if you decide to commute in going to the six churches and walk only to the prominent shrine of Our Lady of Mt Carmel, you will not get exhausted. Needless to say, it is during observance of Holy Week that we do penitential walk. So, this guide would come in handy for those in search of a new Visita Iglesia route.

For those who drive, driving directions are explained in details even from the area of Metro Manila as far as Monumento in Caloocan which also can be used if you are from Malabon or Navotas.

Our Visita Iglesia starts from Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao to Sto Domingo Parish Church in Quezon Ave and vice versa. In between them are: Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Christ The King Church, Santo Nino de Violago Chapel, Our Lady of Mt Carmel Shrine Parish and Most Holy Redeemer Parish.

If you preferred other Visita Iglesia routes, you might like to read Visita Iglesia Routes 2012 and Two Visita Iglesa Routes 2011.

From Cubao to Sto Domingo

First Church: Immaculate Conception Cathedral Cubao
Vancouver St

Option 1 - From Bus Unloading Area in MRT Araneta Center Station

Ride - Walk along the road between Nice Hotel and Astro Hotel until you get to Arayat Public Market. Terminal of jeepneys with "Cubao - V Luna" sign is located opposite the market. Ride one of these jeepneys or one with "Fairview" sign which passes along that road. Ask driver to drop you off at Immaculate Conception Cathedral.

Option 2 - From EDSA corner Aurora Blvd

Walk - Approximate distance is 770 meters. Walk along Aurora Blvd Quiapo bound lane. The road turns right away from Aurora Blvd and it becomes E. Rodriguez Sr. Walk further until you reach the first intersection with traffic lights. That intersection is New York St (right of E Rodriguez) and Vancouver St (left of E Rodriguez). Turn left onto Vancouver, the cathedral is up ahead and can be seen from the distance.

Ride - Take a jeepney with "Quiapo Espana' sign along Aurora Blvd and alight at New York St. Cross E. Rodriguez Sr and enter Vancouver St until you get to the cathedral.

Drive - It's very easy. From EDSA corner Aurora, take Aurora Blvd Quiapo bound lane. Drive to the right lane of Aurora as you must take the road that separates from Aurora Blvd up ahead which is E. Rodriguez Sr. Turn left onto Vancouver St, the road opposite New York St where Petron Gasoline Station is located. The church is situated at the next junction, seen from afar.

Second Church: Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
Scout Ybardolaza St

Ride - Along Vancouver St, ride a jeepney with "Fairview" or "V Luna" sign. Both jeepneys take Ybardoloza St and pass by the frontage of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish. Ask driver to drop you off there.

Walk - Approximate distance is 1,500 meters. Walk towards E. Rodriguez Sr St. Turn left onto E. Rodriguez Sr St. Walk further until you get to Shell Gas Station, located at the corner of E. Rodriguez and Jimenez St. Turn right onto Jimenez St. The road becomes Ybardolaza past Kamuning Rd. Walk further until you see the church to the right of Ybardolaza St.

Drive - Take Vancouver and turn left onto E. Rodriguez Sr St. Turn right onto Judge Jimenez St where Shell Gasoline Station is located. Cross main intersection of Kamuning Rd. Jimenez becomes Scout Ybardolaza St and the church will be on your right past three intersections.

Third Church: Christ The King
Eulogio Rodriguez Sr Ave

Walk - Approximate distance is 1,500 meters. Walk towards Kamuning Rd. Turn right onto Kamuning. Walk until you get to the end of Kamuning. Turn left onto Tomas Morato. Walk until you get to the end of Tomas Morato. Turn right onto E. Rodriguez Sr Ave. Walk along E Rodriguez past traffic lights of Dona M Hemady St. Christ The King is to the right of E Rodriguez Sr Ave past Hemady St.

Ride - Ride the same jeep you ride from Cubao only this time you take the opposite direction. So, you must cross Ybardolaza to wait for a jeepney. Alight at E. Rodriguez Sr St and take another jeepney with "Quiapo Espana" sign. Ask driver to drop you off at Christ The King.

Drive - Take Ybardolaza's opposite lane and drive towards Kamuning. Turn right onto Kamuning Road. Turn left onto Tomas Morato, where Kamuning ends. Turn right onto E. Rodriguez Sr Ave where Tomas Morato ends. Drive past Dona M Hemady St, the first intersection with traffic lights. The church will be on your right past Hemady St.

Fourth Church: Santo Nino de Violago Chapel
Walter Mart E Rodriguez Sr Ave

Note on Santo Nino de Violago Chapel: Even if it is labeled as chapel, the worship building looks like a smaller version of a large cathedral. The facade is inspired by an old church with a modern twist in church architecture. It is the only church I have known that's air-conditioned during a mass.

Walk - Along E Rodriguez Sr Ave's Espana bound lane, walk past St Luke's Hospital, Montgomery gate and Trinity College until you get to the tall building of The Capital Towers, located to the right of E Rodriguez Sr Ave. Turn right onto the road next to The Capital Towers. You will immediately see Walter Mart. Next to it is the Santo Nino de Violago Chapel.

Ride - Take a jeep with "Quipo Espana" sign. Alight at The Capital Towers building and head towards the church.

Drive - Just drive along Espana bound lane and turn right onto the road next to the tall building of The Capital Towers.

Fifth Church - Our Lady of Mt Carmel Shrine Parish
Broadway Ave aka Dona Juana Rodriguez

Ride - Take a jeepney bound for Cubao and alight at McDonald's which is located immediately past St Luke's Medical Center. The fast-food restaurant is at the right corner of E. Rodriguez Sr Ave and Broadway Ave. From here, you will begin the walk.

Walk - Walk from The Capital Towers towards Cubao until you get to McDonald's. Now begin another approximately 950 meters walk along tree-lined Broadway Ave from McDonald's until you get to the shrine which will be on your right.

Drive - Take E Rodriguez Sr Ave towards Cubao past Broadway Ave and then turn right onto Gilmore Ave. You must cross eight intersections before you get to 5th St. Turn right onto 5th St, cross Broadway to get to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Shrine Parish.

Sixth Church - Most Holy Redeemer Parish
Landargon St in Araneta Ave

Ride - Walk towards Aurora Blvd, the main road where LRT-2 elevated tracks pass through. Ride a jeepney bound for "Divisoria" or "Stop & Shop". Alight at SM Mezza II Residences (under construction). Terminal of jeepneys bound for Quezon Ave is located along the road between SM Mezza Residences (condominium towers at the corner of Aurora Blvd and Araneta Ave) and SM Mezza II. Ride one of these jeepneys and then alight at Araneta Ave cor Landargon St. There's a Shell Gas Station at the corner of Landargon St and Araneta Ave. You can easily make out the church from the Shell Station. Cross Araneta Ave with care to get to the other side towards the Church. Actual location of the church is Landargon cor Arguelles, the street next to Araneta Ave along Landargon.

Walk - It's a long walk from Mt Carmel, approximately 2.7 kilometers. Take Aurora Blvd toward Sta Mesa until you get to the main intersection of Gregorio Araneta Ave. Turn right onto Araneta Ave and walk further until you get to Shell Gas Station. Cross Araneta to get to the church.

Drive - Take Aurora Blvd Sta Mesa bound lane. Turn right onto Araneta Ave. Drive past Landargon St where Shell Gasoline Station is located. Use available U-Turn slot ahead to get back to Landargon St. Turn right onto Landargon. The church will be on the next corner along Landargon St, to your right.

Seventh Church - Santo Domingo Parish Church
Quezon Ave

Ride - Walk across Araneta Ave toward Shell Gas Station and ride a jeepney with "Quezon Ave" sign. You will get off the jeepney at its terminal along Araneta Ave. Walk along Araneta Ave toward Quezon Ave. Cross Quezon Ave and then walk toward Quiapo until you get to Sto Domingo Church.

Walk - Just follow the direction of jeepneys bound for Quezon Ave. It's a long walk. Approximately 2.4 kilometers. You will cross E Rodriguez Quezon Ave. Turn left onto Quezon Ave toward Quiapo. Sto Domingo Church will be on your right.

Drive - You can take Araneta Ave from Most Holy Redeemer. Turn right onto Araneta Ave from Landargon St and then use the next intersection to get to the opposite lane bound for Quezon Ave. Drive past Landargon St and E Rodriguez Sr Ave and cross Quezon Ave. Use a U-Turn slot to return to Quezon Ave. Turn right onto Quezon Ave. Drive further. Sto Domingo Church will be on your right.

From Sto Domingo To Cubao

First Church: Sto Domingo Parish Church

Ride - To get to Sto Domingo Church from Quiapo, just ride a jeepney with "Fairview", "Project 6", "SM North EDSA Trinoma" or "Project 8 Munoz Roosevelt" sign. From Monumento, just ride bus to West Ave and take a jeepney with "Quiapo" or "Pier" sign. Ask driver to drop you off at Sto Domingo Church. Now if you are from Cubao and you want to start Visita Iglesia in Sto Domingo, just take a jeepney along Aurora Blvd near EDSA with "E Rodriguez Sr Ave Espana Quiapo" signs on both sides and "Quiapo Espana" sign on the front. Get off the jeep at Welcome Rotunda Quezon Ave side. Ride another jeep from Quiapo and alight at Sto Domingo Church.

Drive - Using E Rodriguez Sr Ave from any point toward Quiapo, turn right onto Quezon Ave (Welcome Rotunda). Make a U-Turn on the first U-Turn slot. Turn right onto Kanlaon Ave, the road where Burger King is located at its corner. Turn right onto the first intersection, Mariano Cuenco. Cross five intersections including the prominent Banawe St which is the last road to cross. Turn right onto Biak na Bato, the next road to Banawe. Sto Domingo will be on your left, at the corner of Biak na Bato and Quezon Ave.

From EDSA North, use West Ave and drive all the way to its other end in Quezon Ave. Turn right onto Quezon Ave and drive all the way but avoid getting onto Araneta Ave - Qeuzon Ave Underpass. Instead cross Araneta Ave and drive all the way until you see the church to your right.

From San Juan and SM Sta Mesa area via Araneta Ave. Drive towards Quezon Ave. Cross Quezon Ave and use any available U-Turn slot or intersection to get to the opposite direction of Araneta. Turn right onto Quezon Ave. Sto Domingo Church will be on your right.

From Caloocan Monumento area via 5th Ave or C-3. You can also use this if you're from Navotas and Malabon as well as Tondo area. Just remember this route starts from the intersection of Rizal Ave and 5th Ave where LRT-1 5th Ave Station is located. Drive on the eastbound lane of 5th Ave aka C-3. Stay on the middle of the road and cross the main intersection of A Bonifacio Ave. At this point you are taking C-3 which is also known on this area as Sgt Rivera. It becomes Grogorio Araneta Ave as the road turns slowly right. You will cross main intersections of Del Monte Ave and NS Amoranto Sr Ave. To get to Santo Domingo Church, you can either turn right onto Maria Clara St and then turn left onto Sto Domingo (third crossing from Araneta) or turn right onto Quezon Ave from Araneta Ave.

Second Church: Most Holy Redeemer

Ride - Use the pedestrian overpass and cross Quezon Ave. Go to the corner of Quezon Ave and Araneta Ave. Turn right and walk to the next street of Agno where the big building of Sanctuarium is located at its corner. There is the terminal of jeepneys bound for Sta Mesa. Ride there and alight at Landargon St. A big Shell Gas Station is situated at the other side of Areneta Ave opposite Landargon. You will immediately see the church as you turn onto Landargon St.

Walk - Approximately 2.4 kilometers from Santo Domingo Church. Just follow the direction of jeepneys to Sta Mesa until you get to Landargon St. You will cross E Rodriguez Sr Ave.

Drive - Use any of the two roads that bound Sto Domingo Church from Quezon Ave. Drive away from Quezon Ave and turn right onto passable road that leads to Araneta Ave. Turn right onto Araneta Ave, cross Quezon Ave and drive all way, crossing another main intersection of E Rodriguez Sr Ave. Turn right onto the fifth road from E Rodriguez Sr Ave (count E Rodriguez Sr Ave as the first road and Landargon as the fifth road). Take note that you must see the Shell Gasoline Station at the other side of Araneta Ave.

Third Church: Our Lady of Mt Carmel Shrine Parish

Ride - Take a jeepney of the same direction from Quezon Ave. Alight at its terminal in Aurora Blvd. Cross Aurora Blvd and ride another jeep bound for Cubao. Alight at Broadway Ave. Cross Aurora Blvd and walk along Broadway Ave. The church will be on your left, exactly located at the corner of 4th St.

Walk - Walk toward Sta Mesa until you get to Aurora Blvd where SM Mezza Residences condominiums are also located. Use pedestrian overpass to turn left onto Aurora Blvd. Walk past LRT-2 J Ruiz Station until you get to Broadway Centrum where Save More is situated. Follow walk direction given on "Ride" above. Approximate distance is 2.7 kilometers.

Drive - Turn right onto Araneta Ave from Landargon St. You must go left on Aurora Blvd. If there's no left-turn on Aurora Blvd, cross it and use N Domingo St where Araneta Ave ends. Turn left there or if U-Turn is allowed then make a U-Turn. If you turn left on N Domingo, carefully make a U-Turn back to Areneta Ave again. Turn right onto Areneta Ave and turn right onto Aurora Blvd. Drive past LRT-2 J Ruiz Station and turn left onto Broadway Ave. There's a Petron Station on the left corner of Aurora Blvd and Broadway Ave. Our Lady of Mt Carmel Shrine Parish will be on the left past 4th St.

Fourth Church: Santo Nino de Violago Chapel

Ride - First, walk approximately 950 meters along the tree-lined Broadway Ave until you get to E Rodriguez Sr Ave. Cross E Rodriguez and ride a jeepney bound for Espana, Alight at The Capital Towers building and walk toward Walter Mart where the church is located next to it.

Walk - additional 650 meters from McDonald's which is located at the corner of Broadway Ave and E Rodriguez Sr Ave toward Espana until you reach the tall building on the right, The Capital Towers. Turn right onto the road next to the building toward Walter Mart to get to the church.

Drive - Take the one way traffic Broadway Ave and turn left onto E Rodriguez Sr Ave. Turn right onto the road next to the tall building of The Capital Towers. The church will be on your right next to Walter Mart.

Fifth Church: Christ The King

Ride - Cross E. Rodriguez Sr Ave and ride a jeepney with "Cubao" or "Proj 2-3" sign. Ask driver to drop you off at the Christ The King Church.

Walk - towards Cubao past St Lukes Medical Center, Broadway Ave and Gilmore Ave. Christ The King will be on the left. Approximate distance is 1.2 kilometers.

Drive - Turn left onto E Rodriguez from the church. Drive past Broadway Ave and Gilmore Ave and turn left onto the gate of Christ The King Church which is located on the left of E Rodriguez Sr Ave past Gilmore Ave.

Sixth Church: Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish

Ride - Cross E Rodriguez Sr Ave and ride a jeepney with "Project 2-3" sign. It will turn left onto Tomas Morato Ave and then turn right onto Kamuning Road. Ask driver to drop you off at Scout Ybardolaza St which is the opposite of Judge Jimenez St. There's a Petron Gas Station at the corner of Kamuning Rd and Ybardolaza. Ride another jeepney with "Fairview" or "V Luna" sign along Jimenez or Ybardolaza corner Kamuning Road. Ask driver to drop you off at Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Church.

Walk - Approximate distance is 1.5 kilometers. Walk along E Rodriguez Sr Ave towards Cubao. Turn left onto Tomas Morato Ave. Turn right onto Kamuning Road. Walk further until you reach Scout Ybardolaza St. Landmark is the Petron at the corner of Ybardolaza and Kamuning. Turn left onto Ybardolaza and cross Scout de Guia, Scout Gandia and Scout Fuentebella streets. The church will be on your right.

Drive - Take E Rodriguez Cubao bound lane. Turn left onto Morato and turn right onto Kamuning Road. Turn left onto Scout Ybardolaza. A Petron is located at the corner of Ybardolaza St. The church will be on your right past three intersections.

Seventh Church: Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao

Ride - Cross Scout Ybardolaza St and ride a jeepney with "Cubao" sign. Ask driver to drop you off at the church.

Walk - Approximately, it's 1.5-kilometer from Sacred Heart to Immaculate Conception Cathedral. Walk along Ybardolaza towards Kamuning Rd. Follow direction of jeepneys. Cross Kamuning. Road becomes Judge Jimenez St and it ends in E Rodriguez Sr Ave. Turn left onto E Rodriguez Sr Ave. Walk further until you get to the intersection with traffic lights and there's a Petron Gas Station on the left corner. That intersection is New York St on the left and Vancouver St on the the right. Turn right onto Vancouver St. Walk until you get to the junction where the big cathedral is situated.

Drive - Basically, you will just follow the walk direction. Take the opposite lane of Scout Ybardolaza St. Cross Kamuning Rd to take Judge Jimenez St. Turn left onto E Rodriguez Sr Ave and turn right onto Vancouver St, which is the opposite road of New York St where a Petron Gas Station is located at its corner. The big cathedral will be visible as you drive down the road.

Take care!